Heads and tales: Dubious care

sonogram The doctor is out: More details are out about alleged problems at Summit Medical Center on Southside. Several patients said no doctor was present during their examination or treatment at the abortion clinic. Also, three women have talked with the Birmingham News about their medical complications after having abortions at Summit. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood and its affiliates have opened 87 express clinics in several states, including Alabama, since 2004. The clinics do not perform abortions but do provide emergency contraception.
• Abortion clinic violations detailed [Birmingham News]

Sons of the Times Gay Talese, who attended the University of Alabama and covered the civil rights clashes in Selma for the New York Times, returns for a book signing at 6 tonight at the Alabama Booksmith. His latest, "A Writer’s Life," covers those journeys and more. (Read the first chapter.) So meticulous is his writing style that he’s not unlike his immigrant father, a tailor by trade.

Another Timesman, who also went to college in Alabama and also wrote for our favorite newspaper, the Birmingham Post-Herald, also has a new book out. Howell Raines was in town last week for a signing for "The One that Got Away," another trip down memory lane, though much rockier. The Birmingham native also discusses getting back to writing and fishing.
• ‘A Writer’s Life,’ by Gay Talese [New York Times]

The Ugly idol: And for those of you who don’t like reality TV, more reality TV … Kassie Miller, a Cullman native who skipped to Nashville to become a singer, won “The Ultimate Coyote Ugly Search.” Based on the bar and movie of the same name, the show had female contestants compete in singing, dancing and bartending. The finale repeats at 9 tonight on CMT.
• Antioch resident wins reality show [(Nashville) Tennessean]

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